May 21, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
Rodeos year round! This is the great thing about Williams Lake and the Cariboo - there are rodeos almost every time of the year. There is the world famous Williams Lake Stampede which is held every year during the July 1st long weekend. Just like last year Williams Lake will host the Canadian High School Rodeo Finals in August. And of course after such a long break during the winter months I had to check out the Indoor Rodeo.
They had Bareback and Saddle Bronc Riding, Steer Wrestling, Barrel Racing, Team Roping and Bull Riding. Was great to watch and I am so looking forward to the big Stampede this summer!
May 18, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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Chezacut Wilderness Adventures Guest Ranch is a must stop when travelling on Highway 20. This guest ranch retreat is the perfect place to ‘Get Away’…literally. Located 7.5 km off the main highway and 150 km west of Williams Lake, when you are here you are really away. The western accommodations and unique organic food is a great way to experience living off the land. I definitely tried some unique foods during my short stay…ask about the juice it is like something I have never seen!
The horsemanship lessons are really what the whole experience is about. Dominique is absolutely amazing with the horses and with us silly humans. She is very patient and descriptive when trying to explain the lessons. Our few hours spent with the horses were very interesting. We learned how to communicate with the horses; how to get them to back up, come forward, pivot on their back and front legs, how to run in a circle around you, and how to load them into a trailer. The most amazing thing I found was the simplicity in the ways to communicate with them. Dominique has trained them so well that when I simply stared at his rear end my horse would stop what he was doing and stand right in front of me, just amazing!
This is a great time for anyone, horse lovers and those who have never even touched a horse. Dominique is a superb teacher and will help you master the skills needed in your own time!
May 12, 2009 | Tips from Travellers >
Williams Lake, Guest Ranches & Horseback Riding
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We took a short horsemanship lesson at Chezacut, which turned out to be probably one of my favorite moments of the trip. Dominique, the owner, taught us how to become more in tune with a horse, demonstrating how to get the horse to move forwards and backwards, sidestep and around in a circle. The lesson culminated with all the members of our group managing to load our respective horse into a horse trailer.
I had never experienced something like this before. It was a level of connection and higher learning I've never had working with horses or going on typical trail rides (which I've done plenty of!). Dominique was great too, not letting us back down from the challenge of working with the horses. And to top it off, beautiful scenery!